Operation Freedom Paws

24/03/2025

Mentoring Monday:
No matter how cute and cuddly a dog appears to be, approaching it improperly can set up a situation that may traumatize both the dog and the human involved. Dogs do not normally like to be hugged. Some dogs can learn to enjoy hugs from their handlers and others they trust, but even those dogs may resist being hugged by strangers. If a dog is uncomfortable, it will try to get out of a situation; the more it’s pressured to relax, the more dangerous it becomes. If a dog shows “whale eye” (white half-moon shape around the iris) along with lip-licking and avoiding eye contact, it is clearly showing anxiety. Back off, give the animal space and time to relax, avoid eye contact, breathe and relax your own body. Let the dog approach you. If it doesn’t, don’t push it.

22/03/2025

Let me tell you how a penny – a single penny – can save a life.

Pennies *do* matter.

Every single one.

Just think about collecting 2,800,000 of them.

That’s $28,000.

At Operation Freedom Paws, that’s how much we need to save lives.

The life of a veteran.

A first responder.

A person in crisis.

A family.

AND –

A dog.

We pull dogs from shelters and rescues.

Then train them with first responders.

At no cost to our clients.

Those dogs are then used to:

→ Respond to someone in crisis

→ Help people facing trauma

→ Care for a veteran with PTSD.

And here’s the amazing part:

This month, at seven Jersey Mike’s locations in the Bay Area, you can round up.

Round up a few pennies.

Those pennies will all go to Operation Freedom Paws.

Throughout the month of March.

And – on March 26th – every *single* penny spent at these locations will go to OFP:

- Pacific Grove (100 Country Club Gate, Pacific Grove, CA)
- Watsonville (99 Main Street, Watsonville, CA),
- Salinas (1668 N. Main Street, Watsonville, CA)
- Danville (Danville (301 Hartz Ave, Ste 100, Danville, CA)
- Pleasanton (6654 Koll Center Parkway, Ste 333, Pleasanton, CA)
- Dublin (3740 Fallon Rd, Dublin, CA)
- San Mateo (2925 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA)

So when you’re thinking about where to go to grab a quick bite to eat this month…

Think of this:

What value do you put on a life?

Every life is priceless.

So, ask yourself right now:

Can you spare a penny?

Yes, you can.

Make it a penny from heaven.

22/03/2025

Several Bay Area Jersey Mike’s locations are donating to Operation Freedom Paws for their month of giving. Thank you to those franchise owners, and to their customers!

19/03/2025

Wordless Wednesday

18/03/2025

Thank you Purina Dog Chow

17/03/2025

17/03/2025

14/03/2025

March 13th recognizes National K9 Veterans Day and the dedicated K9 units who've served since World War II.
A lot of things changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We rationed oil, leather, and rubber. The military draft men into service. Women rolled up their sleeves and built war supplies.

And dogs were called to duty. During the first world war, the United States took notice of the European use of canines as sentries, message carriers, and several other functions.

A private citizen, Mrs. Alene Erlanger initiated a program called Dogs for Defense. Along with the American Kennel Club and a handful of breeders, the group aimed to train the dogs for military use.

By November of 1942, the military prepared the first Dogs for Defense for duty in North Africa. While they were gun shy at first, they proved to be well trained.

As the war progressed, Dogs for Defense was unable to keep up with the demand, and the Remount Branch, Service Installations Divisions took over the training of the dogs.

Over the years, the military, police, and rescue have developed a variety of training methods for K9 units. Their training is tailored to meet the demands of the job, and each animal and handler carries out his or her duties to the fullest.
🇺🇸🐕‍🦺

14/03/2025

Shanrock Open trophies are in! This could be yours 😉🍀

12/03/2025

Not quite wordless Wednesday:
Therapy dog Hewie hard at work sharing positive energy with some Santa Cruz law enforcement folks.

10/03/2025

Mentoring Monday: Consistency is very important to dogs, who usually teach their owners to feed, potty and play with them at specific times during the day. For a service dog, however, training for scheduling INconsistencies is also important. Service dogs and their handlers are sometimes away from home for long periods of time, so having food and (especially) water available at all times is critical. By varying a service dog’s mealtimes at home, he learns that he may not be fed at the same time every day, but he can be confident that he will be fed. This training method makes it easier when the handler has appointments or meetings that disrupt the “normal” schedule, so the dog is less likely to misbehave in public. Daylight Savings Time changes can impact all of us, including our dogs, so keep that in mind if you’re seeing unusual behaviors.

06/03/2025

This weeks's Thursday Thank You goes to the golfers who have already signed up for Coyote Creek Golf Club’s Shamrock Open on Sunday March 16th. Proceeds will benefit clients and dogs of Operation Freedom Paws. There are still some spots open;
sign up on the "upcoming events" page linked here:

https://coyotecreekgolf.com/upcoming-events/.

05/03/2025

Wordless Wednesday!

03/03/2025

Mentoring Monday: We are delighted to announce that Operation Freedom Paws has been chosen as one of the charities that Bay Area Jersey Mike's Subs are supporting this year. The entire month of March, customers will be given the opportunity to “round up” the cost of their purchase to be given to local charities, so wherever you are it’s an opportunity for you to give while getting a terrific sandwich! Stores in Monterey-Salinas, San Francisco and Oakland will be donating to OFP. On Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving (Wednesday March 26th) 100% of their sales (not just profits!) will be given to the selected charities. The Corporation is celebrating their 15th Day of Giving this year. They hope to beat last year’s record of $25,000,000 given to charities nationwide. Store locations and charities are on the linked website, listed by state. Check it out to see where you can get a delicious sub and help your community!

https://www.jerseymikes.com/mog/charities

27/02/2025

Enjoy a day on the links—-support our clients and their service dogs!